This Graphic Shows The Positive Effect Raising the Minimum Wage to $10.10 Would Have on Workers of Color

By Vanessa Cárdenas
Posted on April 30, 2014, 11:20 am

How much does a full-time worker earning the current minimum wage of $7.25 per hour make in one year? This worker earns only $15,080, which is $4,000 below the federal poverty line for a family of three. Most people would agree that this is not a livable salary anywhere in the nation, especially for families with children. Raising the minimum wage would make a significant difference for all Americans—and people of color in particular; it would increase the total combined wages of people of color by $16.1 billion.

Last week, the Center for American Progress released an infographic detailing the positive effect that raising the minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $10.10 per hour would have on workers of color. Raising the minimum wage is an important step to ensure that the economy works for everyone, reduce the earnings gap, and help lift people out of poverty. It will provide all Americans who work hard with the opportunity to get ahead while giving the economy a needed boost.